Yesterday's project was welding up today's V-day gift for The Woman.
Here's the dedicated channel for questions to make sure we don't miss anyone! Leave your questions here. If you'd like to ask a specific instructor, use the '@' feature. For example, type '@jody collier' followed by your question. That will notify the instructor directly. The attached image shows what it looks like if you were to tag jody.--This feature also works on videos! So if you have a question about a specific video, be sure to tag the instructor in the comments of that video.--We will be sure to check this thread for general questions as well! Thanks to Aaron Laughlin for prompting this new thread.
The bead challenge contest is over and we have winners!1st - Jeff Loffert 🥇2nd - Mike Murphy 🥈3rd - Kenneth Lawrence 🥉4th - Everyone else who entered, we're sending you something too!Email me joey@welderskills.com with your name and address info so we can reward everybody who participated. To recap, prizes are:1st: Goodman Metal Products Kit, 1 on 1 call with Jody, Brad, JD, Sam, or Aren, TIG Finger Bundle, Gloves, and hat2nd: Gloves, TIG finger Bundle, and Hat3rd: TIG Finger BundleEverybody else who entered will get something nice too as a thank you and a early Christmas gift.We're cooking up the next challenge as I type this, so look forward to that! We'll be highlighting the winners on socials likely starting tomorrow.
in 🛠️ projects
February 17
• Edited (Feb 20, 2025)
In the process of adding a motor drive to a rotary positioner kit, that was originally designed to be driven my a cordless drill motor. I bought the positioner kit knowing this, and never intended to use the drill motor, as that seemed pretty useless. Welded an adapter plate to one of the shoulder bolt axles, so it all moves as one unit, and happy with how it works. The combo of the 100 RPM 12VDC gearmotor, and the 40:1 gear reduction in the positioner, makes for a turntable that rotates at 0-2.5 RPM. Next is to make an enclosure for the motor, and a control box that will have the speed/direction control board and the battery( this will be powered with a Milwaukee M12 tool battery ). A foot switch will start/stop the table.
Before sinking too much effort, decided to run a test bead in DC and AC to make sure the HF start and/or AC freq didn't screw with the electronic speed control and motor. Didn't miss a beat, so will proceed with the remainder of the project. First beads ever using a positioner.
Edit. Thought I'd add a rundown of the major parts I used to motorize this Weltables rotary positioner. My subscription here expires in a few days, and not sure if I'll be renewing. Some work came in, so I won't have time to finish this project until next week.
PWM Speed Control-https://makermotor.com/pn00218-cyt13-25amp-7v-58v-high-voltage-dc-motor-driver-speed-controller-md25hv/
I got the flex coupler, 12V battery adapter, and foot pedal on Amazon, and should be simple enough to find in a search. I had to turn the hex end of the positioners shaft on a lathe. You could also simply adapt a socket to the motor shaft.
in ❓ questions
February 16
I’m looking for some info on a stick rod it is an ALL-STATE 24-AC i have never used this rod and I had a bunch given to me what I can find online about it is very little not very informative thanks
February 13
last night's podcast recording is up!
01:02:20
WS Podcast - Sam & Aren EP0...
Aren and Sam discuss the circumstances that lead to them...
February 12
Latest in the welding rig build from Sam
12:28
Sam Hagan - Welding Rig (Pa...
The next installment in Sam's latest series putting together a...
February 10
Sam and Aren going live this Wednesday at 8 pm EST
in 🛠️ projects
February 08
Just finished this little project building a grate for a sump pit and two caps for fence post. I couldn’t find the grate big enough to cover the hole in one piece, plus the customer asked for a screen to keep leaves out. I decided to just build one. After deciding to use flat bar instead of tubing I was able to plug in all numbers in a excel spreadsheet format I purchased from a guy @ a website “MADE FOR PROFIT “ and was able to quote the job at a 40% margin. I do this on my spare time by with these numbers I wanna do more .
The tools I used are mine , the leads are mine and the welder I used was station at my house , but when it came to being mobile, I got one from the the rental yard for 75$ a day.
I think I’ll hold off buying my gas driven welder for now.
January 29
chop saw review from Matt!
07:34
Matt Hayden - Evolution Cho...
Matt reviews and demos this evolution chop saw
in ❓ questions
January 17
• Edited (Jan 22, 2025)
Edit. I thought that I'd posted this in the questions but ended up in General. So I thought I'd tag Matt Hayden in case he doesn't see it here.
Not real crazy about what I saw when cut and etched some sample 2F welds with the dual shield at 25V/250 IPM 35 CFH C25. They look OK on the surface, but about zero root fusion, and pretty shallow penetration. The etch wasn't great and didn't photo well. The 1/4" material was spotless clean and square; no rounded over sheared rolled edges. It was belt sanded square. Maybe I was traveling a little too fast? The throat is definitely under 1/4". Thoughts anyone?
Photo 1 cross section is pull beads top left/bottom right, and pull top right/bottom left. Photo 2 is pull, and Photo 3 is push.
Edit to add: Not sure what the hell is going on. Ran two more beads. Photo 4 is 25/250 and photo 5 is the Auto Set suggested 22.9/265. Slower travel speed to build up a bigger bead, which it did, but as you can see in the last photo, the root fusion in both is terrible. Squashed it in the 40T press and it held up OK, but I would hope so, welded on both sides.